The River Petteril has been improved for its wildlife in a year long project carried out by Eden Rivers Trust, in partnership with landowners, local people and environmental organisations. Funding for the project came from DEFRA and the Environment Agency.
The project has received fantastic co-operation from local farmers and nearly 4 km of riverside fencing has been installed on the River Petteril in the Laithes, Catterlen and Southwaite areas. This will prevent cattle and sheep from trampling the river banks, thereby reducing erosion of the banks and the amount of silt entering the river. It will also allow tall vegetation and trees to grow and stabilise the banks whilst also providing food and shelter for river wildlife. A total of 3210 trees were also planted along the river.
Staff of the Wild Trout Trust came to Cumbria to work with Eden Rivers Trust and share their knowledge about how they improve rivers for wild trout and salmon. One of the techniques they use includes placing cut trees and brash – known as Large Woody Debris – in the river to create places for trout to hide and feed. It can also help to protect and stabilise eroding river banks. A demonstration day was held in Wreay Woods Nature Reserve, in partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and was well attended by interested people from a variety of backgrounds and organisations. Several areas of Large Woody Debris were created in the River Petteril in Wreay Woods Nature Reserve.
Further Large Woody Debris was also introduced in three other locations along the Petteril around Wreay and on the Old Petteril. This has all taken place over a 4 km stretch of river which has created a wildlife corridor on the outskirts of Carlisle. It is linked to stretches of the river which are already good for wildlife and extends the corridor to around 8 km.
Alison Reed, River Petteril Project Officer, said ‘Whilst walking along a lot of the Petteril during the summer I discovered what a beautiful and varied river it is. I have also been monitoring the insect life in the river, an important way of checking the health of the river. This has shown some very encouraging results and anyone interested can have a go. I would particularly urge all anglers to take up this monitoring initiative on their local river. It’s a fantastic way of looking out for problems as well as seeing what lives in the river.’
During the summer several successful Himalayan balsam pulling days were organised on the old Petteril near Penrith, to remove this invasive non-native plant species from the river banks. A large number of volunteers helped with this task which allows native flowers and insects to thrive along our rivers. Eden Rivers Trust staff have also been walking the Petteril to record the presence of Himalayan balsam and another invasive plant Japanese knotweed.
They are currently developing an Eden Invasive Species Group to co-ordinate a control programme for unwanted invasive plants and animals in 2011. They hope to continue their work on improving the River Petteril for wildlife and are currently seeking further funding for this.
Training day on installing woody debris into the River Petteril at Wreay Woods
